NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has directed the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to oversee the construction of more than 75 health facilities across the country, in what State officials say is a bid to fast-track their completion.
Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru, speaking in Narok County on Wednesday during the commissioning of the Sogoo Level Four Hospital, said the project would be completed in 11 months under military supervision.
The Sogoo hospital, which had stalled for years, caught the President’s eye during his tour of the region in May. Ruto subsequently ordered the KDF to take charge of upgrading the facility.
“The army will supervise the contractor. All unskilled labour will be drawn from the local community. We will put two officers here and every evening they will give me a report on the progress,” PS Mariru told residents.
He clarified that the military’s role was limited to supervision and accountability: “It is not that we are replacing government agencies. We are partnering with ministries such as Health and Sports to ensure projects are delivered on time.”
Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu hailed the initiative, noting that residents of Sogoo had long been forced to seek treatment in neighbouring Bomet County.
He said the hospital would be one of four Level Four facilities in Narok.
Governor Ntutu also revealed that the government would soon issue title deeds to settlers of Cheluget Farm, covering 5,600 acres, and resettle Maasai Mau forest evictees.
In addition, the county plans to rehabilitate over 100 kilometres of roads to improve access, especially during the rainy season.
The Defence PS said the KDF has also been tasked with supervising hospital projects in Siaya, Kapsabet, Dagoreti, Meru, Ol Kalou, Githunguri and other towns.
The deployment reflects Ruto’s broader strategy of using the military’s logistical capacity to deliver stalled public projects, particularly in health and infrastructure.
